A pressure-balanced hydraulic coupling suitable for undersea use comprises a male member having one or more flow ports on the side of its probe section and a poppet valve actuator extending from the end of the probe section which has a fluid-tight seal around the actuator. The female member has a removable annular flow piece for fluid communication with the flow ports in the probe of the male member. In certain embodiments the annular flow piece has integral probe seals. In other embodiments, the removable annular flow piece comprises a seal retainer. In yet other embodiments, the removable annular flow piece comprises the inner part of a two-part seal cartridge.
|
1. A female hydraulic coupling member comprising:
a body having a central axial bore with a stepped internal diameter, a portion of the central axial bore forming a receiving chamber for the probe of a male hydraulic coupling member;
a first shoulder in the central axial bore at a first step in the internal diameter;
a first annular groove in the first shoulder;
a longitudinal passage in the body in fluid communication with the annular groove;
a substantially radial passage in the body in fluid communication with the central axial bore and the longitudinal passage;
a substantially cylindrical annular flow piece insertable in the central axial bore having a first end, an opposing second end, a stepped outer diameter forming a first shoulder and a second shoulder, and a central axial bore having a stepped internal diameter with at least two steps forming a first section having a first internal diameter, a second section adjacent the first section having a second internal diameter greater than the first diameter and a third section adjacent the second section having an internal diameter less than the second diameter, a first probe seal integral with the first section, a second probe seal integral with the third section and a passage in fluid communication with the first shoulder and the second section positioned for fluid communication with the annular groove in the first shoulder of the central axial bore of the body when the flow piece is inserted in the bore;
a retainer nut in threaded engagement with the central axial bore which bears against the second shoulder of the annular flow piece and seats the first shoulder of the annular flow piece against the first shoulder in the central axial bore.
30. A female hydraulic coupling member comprising:
a body having a central axial bore with a stepped internal diameter, a portion of the central axial bore forming a receiving chamber for the probe of a male hydraulic coupling member;
a first shoulder in the central axial bore at a first step in the internal diameter;
a first annular groove in the first shoulder;
a longitudinal passage in the body in fluid communication with the annular groove;
a substantially radial passage in the body in fluid communication with the central axial bore and the longitudinal passage;
a substantially cylindrical seal cartridge with annular flow passage insertable in the central axial bore having a first end, an opposing second end, a stepped outer diameter forming a first shoulder, the seal cartridge comprising an inner piece having a central axial bore with a stepped internal diameter with at least two steps forming a first section having a first internal diameter, a second section adjacent the first section having a second internal diameter greater than the first diameter thereby forming an annular flow passage and a third section adjacent the second section having an internal diameter less than the second diameter and a longitudinal bore offset from the central axis between the first shoulder and the second section and positioned for fluid communication with the annular groove in the first shoulder of the central axial bore of the body when the seal cartridge with annular flow passage is inserted in the bore and an outer shell with a central axial bore and an externally threaded surface for engaging the bore of the female body, the outer shell having a circumferential interference fit with the inner piece of the seal cartridge;
a first probe seal retained between the first end of the seal retainer and a shoulder in the central bore;
a second probe seal retained between the inner piece and the outer shell of the seal cartridge.
17. A female hydraulic coupling member comprising:
a body having a central axial bore with a stepped internal diameter, a portion of the central axial bore forming a receiving chamber for the probe of a male hydraulic coupling member;
a first shoulder in the central axial bore at a first step in the internal diameter;
a first annular groove in the first shoulder;
a longitudinal passage in the body in fluid communication with the annular groove;
a substantially radial passage in the body in fluid communication with the central axial bore and the longitudinal passage;
a substantially cylindrical seal retainer with annular flow passage insertable in the central axial bore having a first end, an opposing second end, a stepped outer diameter forming a first shoulder and a second shoulder, and a central axial bore having a stepped internal diameter with at least two steps forming a first section having a first internal diameter, a second section adjacent the first section having a second internal diameter greater than the first diameter thereby forming an annular flow passage and a third section adjacent the second section having an internal diameter less than the second diameter and a longitudinal bore offset from the central axis between the first shoulder and the second section and positioned for fluid communication with the annular groove in the first shoulder of the central axial bore of the body when the seal retainer with annular flow passage is inserted in the bore;
a first probe seal retained between the first end of the seal retainer and a shoulder in the central bore;
a retainer nut in threaded engagement with the central axial bore which bears against the second shoulder of the seal retainer and seats the first shoulder of the seal retainer with annular flow passage against the first shoulder in the central axial bore;
a second probe seal retained between the second end of the seal retainer and a shoulder in the bore of the retainer nut.
2. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
3. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
4. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
5. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
6. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
7. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
8. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
9. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
10. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
11. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
12. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
13. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
14. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
15. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
16. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
18. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
19. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
20. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
21. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
22. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
23. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
24. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
25. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
26. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
27. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
28. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
29. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
31. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
32. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
33. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
34. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
35. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
36. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
37. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
38. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
39. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
40. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
41. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
42. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
43. A female hydraulic coupling member as recited in
|
None
None
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to hydraulic couplings. More particularly, it relates to pressure-balanced undersea hydraulic couplings.
2. Description of the Related Art
A wide variety of hydraulic coupling members adapted for use in the subsea environment are known and used. In a basic coupling, the probe of the male member may act as a piston in an hydraulic cylinder—the cylinder being the receiving chamber of the female member. Hydraulic fluid under pressure exerts a force on the male probe proportional to its cross-sectional area. This force tends to push the probe of the male member out of the receiving chamber of the female member. Since a hydraulic system may be pressurized when coupling members are joined, this piston action can significantly increase the force necessary to make up the connection. This is especially problematic in undersea applications because couplings must often be made up using remotely operated vehicles (ROV's). A plurality of hydraulic couplings are often made up together on a manifold plate. Thus, the mating force required can be significant, necessitating larger and more powerful ROVs to accomplish.
In response to this problem, a number of pressure-balanced hydraulic couplings have been developed. The design of a pressure-balanced coupling is such that the system hydraulic pressure does not act differentially on the cross section of the male probe. The following patents of National Coupling Company (Stafford, Tex.) describe pressure-balanced couplings:
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,099,882 and 5,203,374 entitled “Pressure balanced hydraulic coupling with metal seals” (which are related to one another) disclose a pressure-balanced hydraulic coupling for use in undersea drilling and production operations. The coupling has radial passageways communicating between the male and female members such that substantial fluid pressure is not exerted against the face of either member during coupling or uncoupling or during the coupled state. Check valves in both the male and female members are opened when the male member probe is fully inserted into the receiving chamber of the female member. Mutually opposed valve actuators contact one another to effectuate the simultaneous opening of each check valve, and allow fluid to flow through a valve port and then radially through matching fluid passageways in the male and female members. The radial passageways of the male and female members match up at their longitudinal surfaces so that fluid pressure between the male and female members is in a substantially radial direction and is not exerted at the face of either member. A first pair of seals is positioned on each side of the radial passage for sealing between the receiving chamber and the seal retainer. A second pair of seals is positioned on each side of the radial passage for sealing between the seal retainer and the male member. The seals are pressure-energized metal seals.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,690 entitled “Pressure balanced undersea hydraulic coupling” discloses an undersea hydraulic coupling is pressure balanced to reduce forces tending to urge the coupling members apart during coupling or uncoupling. A seal retainer having an L-shaped fluid passage is used to provide fluid communication between the radial fluid passage in the male member and the longitudinal fluid passage in the female member of the coupling. The seal retainer holds one or more radial seals in the female member upon disengagement of the male coupling member.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,103 entitled “Pressure balanced coupling with split body” discloses a pressure balanced hydraulic coupling for use in undersea drilling and production operations that has radial passages connecting between the male and female members such that fluid pressure is not exerted against the face of either member during coupling or uncoupling. The female member has a split body with a first part and a second part, each having a longitudinal passage and a radial fluid passage. A radial seal is positioned on the junction between the first and second parts of the female member body to facilitate removal and replacement of the radial seal when the split body is disassembled. The male member may be inserted through the first and second parts of the female coupling member, thereby establishing fluid communication between the coupling members in a direction transverse to the coupling member bores.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,035 entitled “Pressure balanced poppet valve for hydraulic couplings” discloses an undersea hydraulic coupling having a poppet valve movable between an open and a closed position that operates without substantial fluid pressure exerted axially against the face of the poppet valve. When the poppet valve is opened, radial passages are interconnected through an annular cavity between the poppet valve body and the valve bore.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2005/0029749 discloses an undersea hydraulic coupling member having a bore liner that protects the coupling members from galling during assembly or disassembly. The bore liner is removable from the bore of a female undersea hydraulic coupling member. The bore liner may be integral with a seal section that may seal with a male undersea hydraulic coupling member. The bore liner also may have an outer diameter configured to engage and interlock with the bore in which the bore liner is positioned. In certain embodiments, the bore liner is fabricated from PEEK.
Pressure balanced couplings are generally more complex and more difficult to manufacture than non-pressured balanced couplings. A simplified pressure-balanced coupling would be advantageous. As space for coupling members on manifold plates and tubing hangars becomes ever more restricted, a need exists for a smaller, less complex pressure balanced coupling. A pressure balanced coupling with a bore liner also represents a needed improvement.
A simplified, pressure-balanced, undersea hydraulic coupling comprises a male member having a hollow, cylindrical, probe section with one or more flow ports on its the side. The flow ports may be of the anti-fouling type. A poppet valve actuator may extend from the end of the probe section. A replaceable actuator seal surrounds the actuator to prevent the loss of hydraulic fluid.
The female member of the pressure-balanced coupling has a removable annular flow piece sized and configured for fluid communication with the flow ports in the probe of the male member. A longitudinal passage in the flow piece provides fluid communication between an annular flow passage in the flow piece and a ring-shaped passage in the body of the female member. The ring-shaped passage provides fluid communication with the flow piece without the need for indexing the flow piece in the female body.
In certain embodiments the annular flow piece comprises integral probe seals. In other embodiments, the removable annular flow piece comprises a seal retainer for replaceable dovetail probe seals. In yet other embodiments, the removable annular flow piece comprises the inner part of a two-part seal cartridge. Various probe seal configurations may be utilized including double crown seals.
The present invention may best be understood by reference to various embodiments.
Poppet valve 16 having flow ports 19 seals against frusto-conical surface 23 in axial bore 18 under the influence of spring 22 which bears against spring seat 20 retained in axial bore 18 by retainer 21 which may be in a circumferential groove in the wall of bore 18. Poppet actuator 17 extends from poppet valve 16 into receiving chamber 14. As illustrated in
Female body 12 also comprises radial flow passage 28 which provides fluid communication between axial bore 18 and axial flow passage 30. Plug 29 may seal the external end of passage 29. Flow passage 30 is in fluid communication with circular flow passage 32.
Probe seal 34 may be held within receiving chamber 14 by threaded retainer nut 42 which may be equipped with spanner engagement holes 44. Angled shoulders 39 on seal 34 engage corresponding angled surfaces on retainer nut 42 and receiving chamber 14 to provide resistance to implosion of seal 34 into receiving chamber 14 under the influence of reduced pressure. Seal 34 may include radial sealing elements 36, as shown. O-ring seals 35 may provide a fluid-tight radial seal between probe seal 34 and body 12. Seal 37, which may be an O-ring seal in certain embodiments, may provide an annular seal between seal 34 and body 12. Seal 37 may be housed in a generally circular groove in a shoulder within bore 18.
Probe seal 34 comprises annular flow passage 38 which is in fluid communication with circular flow passage 32 via axial flow passage 40. Circular flow passage 32 ensures that axial flow passage 40 in seal 34 is in fluid communication with axial flow passage 30 in body 12 even if flow passages 30 and 40 are not coaxial when seal 34 is installed in body 12.
Sea vent 27 provides fluid communication between the interior end of receiving chamber 14 and the surrounding environment. In undersea applications, receiving chamber 14 will typically be filled with seawater prior to coupling make up. When the probe of the male member is inserted in the receiving chamber 14 the water in receiving chamber 14 must have an exit in order to prevent hydraulic lock. Likewise, when the probe of the male member is withdrawn from the receiving chamber 14, sea vent 27 allows vacuum relief by providing a path for seawater to enter chamber 14.
Body 12, retainer nuts 42 and 26, spring seat 20, retainer 21, spring 22 poppet valve 16 and valve actuator 17 may be fabricated from any suitable material. Various high-strength, corrosion-resistant, stainless steel alloys are particularly preferred. Seals 24, 25, 35 and 37 may be fabricated of elastomeric polymer material (elastomers). Probe seal 34 with annular flow path may, in certain embodiments, be fabricated using engineering plastics. Probe seal 34 may be molded, machined or both molded and machined. One particularly preferred material for probe seal 34 is polyetheretherketone (PEEK). Additional examples of suitable materials include DELRIN™ acetal resin engineering plastic (also called polyoxymethylene (POM), polytrioxane and polyformaldehyde), TEFLON™ polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), glass-filled PTFE, PEEK-filled PTFE, and other relatively soft, machinable polymers.
A male coupling member according to one embodiment of the invention is shown in
Poppet valve 56 having flow ports 59 seals against frusto-conical surface 63 in axial bore 58 under the influence of spring 62 which bears against spring seat 60 retained in axial bore 58 by retainer 61 which may engage a circumferential groove in the wall of bore 58. Poppet actuator 57 extends from poppet valve 56 through probe 54 and extends from the face of probe 54. As illustrated in
Radial flow ports 68 provide fluid communication from the external surface of probe 54 to annular axial flow passage 70.
A male coupling member 51 according to a second type is shown in
It will be appreciated that the various female coupling members illustrated in this disclosure may be used with either a male coupling member according to the embodiment shown in
In use, coupling make up is accomplished by the insertion of male probe 54 of male coupling member 50 into receiving chamber 14 of female coupling member 10. An intermediate stage in this process is illustrated in
In
Hydraulic fluid, under pressure in central bore 58 of male member 50, may flow through flow ports 59 of open poppet valve 56 and into annular passage 70 and out radial flow ports 68. At this point the hydraulic fluid enters annular flow passage 38 of seal unit 34 and may flow via axial connecting passage 40 into circular flow passage 32 in body 12 of female member 10. Thence, the fluid may flow via passage 30 to connecting radial passage 28 and into central bore 18. Poppet valve 16 being open, the fluid may flow through flow ports 19 and out connector 13. It will be appreciated that the flow of hydraulic fluid may equally well be in the opposite direction from that described above.
In
The female coupling of
The female coupling of
The female coupling of
The female coupling of
The female coupling of
The female coupling of
Longitudinal passage 40 in inner member 78 provides fluid communication between circular passage 32 in female body 12 and annular flow passage 38. Inner probe seal 80i has a dovetail cross section and may be retained between angled shoulder 39b of axial bore 18 and angled shoulder 39c of inner seal cartridge member 78. The dovetail configuration of seals 80 resists inward, radial movement of the seals, especially when the male probe is withdrawn from receiving chamber 14 and a negative pressure situation may be created.
The female coupling of
The female coupling of
The female coupling of
The female coupling of
The female coupling of
The female coupling of
The female coupling of
The female coupling of
The female coupling of
Together, seals 100 and 110 effectively provide a full bore liner, the unlined segments (e.g., of annular flow path 38) are “out of reach” of the male probe and hence do not benefit from a bore liner.
The female coupling of
The female coupling of
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
11162629, | Oct 22 2015 | Parker Intangibles LLC | Quick coupling with volume displacement passage |
8313105, | Jun 18 2008 | National Coupling Company, Inc. | Method and apparatus for piston-actuated elastomer probe seal in a hydraulic coupling member |
8662503, | Jun 18 2008 | National Coupling Company, Inc. | Method and apparatus for piston-actuated elastomer probe seal in a hydraulic coupling member |
9157561, | Jun 04 2013 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Wet connection system, downhole system using wet connection system, and method thereof |
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
4832080, | Feb 10 1987 | Pressure balanced hydraulic coupling with metal seals | |
5099882, | Jan 11 1991 | NATIONAL COUPLING COMPANY, INC | Pressure balanced hydraulic coupling with metal seals |
5203374, | Jan 11 1991 | National Coupling Company, Inc. | Pressure balanced hydraulic coupling with metal seals |
5360035, | Jun 25 1993 | National Coupling Company, Inc.; NATIONAL COUPLING COMPANY, INC | Pressure balanced poppet valve for hydraulic couplings |
6123103, | Jul 29 1999 | National Coupling Company, Inc. | Pressure balanced coupling with split body |
6202690, | May 03 2000 | National Coupling Company, Inc. | Pressure balanced undersea hydraulic coupling |
7063328, | Oct 31 2002 | National Coupling Company, Inc. | Undersea hydraulic coupling with seal retainer |
7578312, | Apr 04 2007 | National Coupling Company, Inc. | Hydraulic coupling member with displaced water compensation system |
20050029749, |
Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Mar 14 2007 | SMITH, ROBERT E , III | NATIONAL COUPLING COMPANY, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 019020 | /0338 | |
Mar 15 2007 | National Coupling Company, Inc. | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / |
Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
Dec 30 2013 | M1551: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 4th Year, Large Entity. |
Jan 15 2014 | R2551: Refund - Payment of Maintenance Fee, 4th Yr, Small Entity. |
Jan 15 2014 | STOL: Pat Hldr no Longer Claims Small Ent Stat |
Dec 15 2017 | M1552: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 8th Year, Large Entity. |
Jan 12 2022 | M1553: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 12th Year, Large Entity. |
Date | Maintenance Schedule |
Jul 27 2013 | 4 years fee payment window open |
Jan 27 2014 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Jul 27 2014 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
Jul 27 2016 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
Jul 27 2017 | 8 years fee payment window open |
Jan 27 2018 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Jul 27 2018 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
Jul 27 2020 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
Jul 27 2021 | 12 years fee payment window open |
Jan 27 2022 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Jul 27 2022 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
Jul 27 2024 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |